Enthusiastically, Dawn

I almost titled this post, “So, I Lost My Voice, But Here’s a Ramble”. I feel that should be a sufficient warning of the flavor of this writing today!

So, there I was, feeling sorry for myself, when I realized, hey, everyone else is out having pre-Christmas fun, and I am stuck in the house, and though that mostly appeals to me, funny thing, when it happens to be the only choice, suddenly…well, you know, it’s hard to land on what to do. So I read for a bit, watched the video my BFF sent during the week, because hey, I actually did have time. And that was good, though I spent part of the morning lecturing my husband on the evils of social media, after which I promptly watched three YouTube videos. But I assure you, I am still not engaging with social media, yet I  do occasionally indulge in a YouTube video or three (as you can see).

It’s not like I don’t have stuff to do, but the fact is, when one is sick, suddenly one finds themselves doing things that are either indulgent or somehow comforting. So I have been drinking lots of tea. And water. More tea than water. I have not resorted to binge-watching Hallmark Channel or anything else. And since my Christmas cards are mostly in the mail, YAY, I am free to just be sick, and do whatever I can with the freedom to rest and not talk. At all.

Naturally, a girl who can’t talk turns to the pages of her journal to unload, figure out all the things she did not get done last week, that will still need to be done next week, along with other random thoughts. Of course, the cats don’t mind me lying around the house at their speed. Our Christmas decorating seems to have happened in drips and dribbles this year…I feel like 2025 has catapulted us into December, and I am still brushing my seat off, trying to figure out what happened.

So, I am sharing with you an invitation. A spontaneous journaling moment, if you will. I am also sharing a non-sponsored link to a video I watched today about research on writing or drawing versus typing and the impact on the brain. Although this video is connected to a product, please do not disregard the results of the study, which are valid and worth consideration and have been reported on and cited in many related articles. Here is the video: How Handwriting Benefits the Brain.

So now, grab your journal (or notebook) and pen. Grab a delicious drink to sip, and curl up in your favorite spot in your home. Or if you prefer, at your favorite table or desk. Open up to a fresh page, and write at the top “I am thinking about…” and set your timer for ten minutes if you prefer a limit. If you are more of a free spirit writer, you fly! Just write until you feel like stopping. Maybe you will write a list, or a focused paragraph, or a prayer, or a messy bunch of rambly words, and fragmented thoughts, or many thanksgivings. But whatever you write, it’s the right thing to write! Write your way to higher ground, and don’t allow any interfering inner critics to appear. Write, and write it all out, and feel the clarity come. Feel the freedom, lightness, and focus that come with writing it down and out on paper.

OK, one last thing to share with you on my non-talking day. Every year, I watch a video from Benjamin McEvoy, who is the profound leader of The Hardcore Literature Book Club. This Oxford graduate has an amazing YouTube channel and podcast, but also has a Patreon and a wonderful community of readers. I would love to join his Patreon, but it is not in our budget at this time. Also, I assure you, this reading club is well…HARDCORE! As an example, I read – maybe one classic last year, and I was proud of myself. That was Rebecca by Daphne De Maurier. They read …well who can count there’s multiple genres, and accompanying books so a list of 20 turns into 40, by the time he’s done! Ben releases his list each December, and for the last few years, I write down the titles and listen intently to this yearly video while I shake in my slippers over the incredible mountain of classic literature books that the club tackles. He is utterly inspiring. I have learned a lot by listening to his literary recommendations and excellent commentary. Some day I will get myself to join this club…but in the meantime, I definitely appreciate the reading suggestions. If you are curious, here is the video (now I have shared the three videos I watched today with you!): Revealing the Book Club Schedule for 2026 (Hardcore Literature)

In conclusion, I thank you for “listening” to me on my non-talking day, as I feel much better now having talked to you here.

Let me know if you watch any of the videos, or if you journal a bit, spontaneously!

Enthusiastically, Dawn